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Thank you Laura.
I will definitely have a read of those regulations later. I like being knowledgeable.
Thankyou Laura. Will have a look now.
Hi Laura, the 2nd link doesn't seem to be working. Thanks.
Hazeleyes
Sorry, This is the reference that I have for the explanatory memo. Try without gaps. If still no luck I will try and track down tomorrow. Off now to pick up my son for football training...
Laura
J6767, I've just spotted your comment about being hard of hearing. I've been told my hearing ranges from hard-of-hearing (in optimum circumstances and with both hearing aids working) to severe/profoundly deaf. My Work Program adviser has been very understanding and told me that under the new system, my audiology visits count towards my job-seeking activity. Supposedy the reasoning is that I am more employable if my hearing aids are properly adjusted?...Still can't hear much on the phone though, so those audio-typing and call-centre jobs will always be impossible for me!
In my experience the Work Program is pretty useless when helping disabled folk back into work. So far I know more than their specialists, who are pretty clueless when it comes to knowing how I can find deaf-specific jobs or suitable environments to work in. Plenty of hints that I can get my working environment adjusted to help BUT no one seems to understand that, even with the best telephone system and hearing aids in the world, most of the nerves in my ears are dead and will never relay sound to my brain. The other fun I've had, is trying to get across to the job centre people that I do not understand sign-language and did not magically and suddenly acquire the ability speak in sign when I lost my hearing! 
As a single-parent, the hours available to work are definitely limited. Last week I found the holy grail of a data-entry job which did not require telephone answering. Unfortunately it was outside office hours and only available as overnight shifts. I actually found myself weighing up the logistics of leaving my son alone in the house overnight and then I realised that the job would have been impossible to get to anyway as the commuting times were when there was no public transport. Back to the drawing board!
Whatever happened to the IT revolution which promised that by the year 2000,we'd all be working from home on our personal computers? And those housework robots never came true either! 
Hiya all. Hazeleyes, I'm so sorry to hear re your signing on problems! It is like talking to a brickwall isn't it. Glad to hear you're standing up to them. Got another interview with JC next week and filled with total dread.
Harissa, I didn't know that audiology counts as job searching... that's really interesting. I've got hearing aids in both eyes, a degenerative nerve condition. Constant tinitus when hearing aids out. Will yours get worse over time? I hate it. Is is funny how some people do expect you to be able to sign, as you say, it has to be learned, it's not a magic ability bestowed when hearing is lost.
Sooo agree, where ARE the house-bots? I want two!
Good luck to all and remember what doesn't kill you... might be worth drinking x
Hmm surely I meant I have hearing aids in both EARS. Not drinking I promise! lol x
Did have to read that twice J6767. Cheers!! hehe
Dear all,
In case you have not seen it I thought you might want to see the Minimum Service Delivery Standards for the different Work Programme Providers. Have a look and see how your provider is doing! It would be useful for me to know which providers you have had dealings with.
www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/work-programme/
All the best
Laura
I had made an appointment to see my adviser tomorrow, as I wanted to ask her questions, that no one on signing on days seem to know about! Anyhow, one of them was about the postal signing through holidays. I rang as I thought she might be able to let me sign tomorrow instead of taking C with me on Monday. She has no appointment for me! What a surprise, considering the woman I signed with before was getting so confused, and not been on that department before. First, my adviser asked if I had a disability because I was asking for postal signing. No, said I, but I do know I can request it, as I have a 9 year old. Think she was quite shocked with me saying that hehe. Anyhow, as they've bungled things, she is putting a request in for me not signing on Monday, assured me the money will definately be in Post Office on Thursday (I really hope so), and has made another signing on day for me.
What a palaver, but at least I don't have to take C with me phew
Yes Hazeleyes, I know what you mean! the simplest things... ever get the feeling someone's the wrong side of the counter?? Glad they've sorted you out (finally).
Had an 'interview' at JC on Monday. Arrived bout 10 mins early, never late, don't want to give them a sanction excuse lol. Found out where the lady was sitting who was going to interview me, so I parked up and waited. The lady poked her computer scribbled some notes, got up, had a 10/15 min chat, back to her desk, poked her computer some more. Finally she called me over, 30 mins late and said "o sorry I didn't know you were waiting". ??? eh???. Can't help but wonder why she didn't get up and call out my name as they usually do... was that simply an exercise in time wasting? Then she said I was being refered to the Work Programme. Hello, they refered me in June! I left thinking 3 mins later thinking WTF?
Love to all in this confusing rubbish known as Cock Up Central xx
I like that name, J6767, it does feel like Planet Weird when I read about the experiences you all have.
Good for you, Hazeleyes!
Evening Ladies....
Something very strange is afoot regarding the job centre..
I'm on the work Programme with Ingeus and all work searches are checked by them.The JC before I started the WP informed me that all job searches wouldn't need to be shown to them (the JC) and would be a case of signing on and thats it.
Well the chap I saw today asked me for my work searches, I stated the information above, he said 'Ah well we've been told now since last week to ask for evidence'. Its ruddy ridiculous, another hoop to jump through or a trip so to justify a sanction...
Anyone else had this information too?
Helly
Hiya Helly13
I've got my WP induction on Friday, but the JC have said nothing about not taking my job searches when I sign on.
Possibly:
a) they're changing rules faster than they can write em
b) they're plain clueless, drafted in from other depts
c) it's an evil plan to weird us out and place sanctions
d) all of the above
I would take everything, all the time!
x
Hi HELLY13, I am sure that Laura, our Parliamentary Officer will be interested to hear this. She is currently on Annual Leave for half term, but no doubt she will get back to you on this.
Had a call from JC a little while ago! I had spoken to my adviser last Friday and requested a postal signing for yesterday. Went through a few things with her, that I know I'm entitled to ask for. Anyhow, I rang them yesterday to confirm the postal signing had been cleared for me (didn't want no money going in on Thursday). A very nice man spoke to me, and assured me he would double check, and if any problems, as my adviser away this week, he would ring me straight back. No call, so was relieved it had gone so smoothly. Today's call was from the woman I shall be signing on with in future. Had a lecture from her about lots of single parents signing on, and couldn't I get someone to have C? NO. I told her I am well aware of how many single parents are now having to sign on, but also said I'm also aware of my rights to ask for postal signing during the holidays.
Where do these ruddy people get off? They really do think they can talk to you how they like, and we're supposed to zip our mouths for fear of being sanctioned.
It is good that you are able to tell them this.
Hey hazeleyes I am so glad that you felt empowered and knowledgeable enough to be able to stand up for your rights and feel indignant that you were questioned. It is really appalling behaviour of theirs.
Hi Anna
I went for my weekly meeting with the Ingeus advisor, I gave her the heads up regarding the JC. She is furious! Apparently I am the third person to say this and will be ringing them. I have to say I am firmly on the side of my provider, who treat me with respect not like some of the JC staff. I had my mock interview last week and received the appraisel. I passed with flying colours, I should as I am a 41 years old with sales experience from shop floor to business to business of 24 years standing.!All I want is a job I am so frustrated I have so much to give yet am passed over for younger women who lack what I have!
Helly13
Hi Anna
I went for my weekly meeting with the Ingeus advisor, I gave her the heads up regarding the JC. She is furious! Apparently I am the third person to say this and will be ringing them. I have to say I am firmly on the side of my provider, who treat me with respect not like some of the JC staff. I had my mock interview last week and received the appraisel. I passed with flying colours, I should as I am a 41 years old with sales experience from shop floor to business to business of 24 years standing.!All I want is a job I am so frustrated I have so much to give yet am passed over for younger women who lack what I have!
Helly13
Hi all.
Helly13 and Hazeleyes, good on you both.
Had my WP induction on Fri. It seemed to be OK, the lady was very pleasant and seems geniunely helpful and understanding. Although I am not sure exactly what they're going to do yet regarding finding me a job, perhaps that will get clearer in time.
At the end of the interview it was agreed that I'd email her my job applications, which I did. I got an email back asking me not to email them en mass but to print them off for her instead. This would be really expensive in ink and paper. Have emailed back asking if it's OK just to bring in my jobseekers book instead, but not heard back. I wonder if anyone knows if we have to supply printed job applications if requested and if we can claim back consumables?
x
Hi everyone
Nothing has been said to me yet about taking job searches to show the Work Programme. I have to take mine to the Jobcentre when I sign on, and my booklet gets checked by the Jobcentre advisor! There seems to be so much confusion!
I won't be printing anything off to show them, printer ink is too expensive! I wasn't even refunded my travel costs when I went to my first Work Programme appointment, so I doubt very much that they would refund my printer ink costs!
Ladies I have a template I use, a form designed by myself but not kept on the computer. Its devided in to sections: Applications. Comments, Chase Ups and Interviews. I highlight all my applications in orange and diarise chase ups for the next weeks on the date form. As long as you show how organised you are and trying they will stay off your backs. Believe me my advisor knows how hard things are and alerted me to jobs not on any sites. View them as an ally not foe. Its within their interests to get you a job.
It does seem very wasteful to print them all off, hope they say you don't have to. Myself, I think my printer would "suddenly break down"
Glad you stood up to the JC, hazleyes.
Just found an interesting document, which is part of the consultation for changing the loss of Income Support to parents of children under five.....and if you look at Page 19 it lists the provisions that are available for lone parents, very clearly, including the hours restriction and the signing by post.
Just thought it might be helpful if one or two of you are having to fight your corner.
All great information. Thankyou. Am definately more aware now.
Am fuming. After speaking to the adviser last Friday, she giving the go ahead for me to postal sign on Monday, then me ringing on Monday to double check all was ok and it had gone through, then me having a phone call from a woman that does the signing on the Tuesday, again being told it had gone through, my money wasn't there today. After speaking to someone this morning, I was told it wasn't actually issued until Tuesday, when it should have been issued Monday in order to get the money on my normal day, being today.
I'm now thinking, as none of them have really liked me telling them that I am within my rights to ask for postal signing, they probably delayed my money!!!!
Hazeleyes, I am sure that is not the case, I know we vent a lot of our frustration their way, but they are just as confused as the rest of us I reckon. They certainly come across that way, reading through everyones very different experiences.
Although I understand your thinking! My daughter always gets cross if I complain at a restaurant, because she worries they will spit in her food not mine!!
So when do they think the money will go into your account?
I've been reassured it will be there tomorrow, but then she added, 'any problems though, and give us a call back'. Not very reassuring eh.
Gosh I hope so! I would feel the same as you 
Hazeleyes, keeping fingers crossed for you that your money's there tomorrow. It's such a worry. I must admit I've never attempted postal signing for that reason. It's dreadful as it is our right.
Thanks for all your advice about printing everyone! I'll take my JC booklet next time instead and see what happens.
x
Any money hazeleyes? I do hope so, with the weekend here and all.
All good thankyou. Money was there phew
So glad your money got to you Hazeleyes.
Just to share some info, I've got some work experince coming up on the 7th for two weeks. In the past, I've been told we've been able to claim up to £100 for clothing?
Not any more... asked at JC who told me I need to go thru my WP provider... who are offering up to £25. Due to cuts. Might be able to get a shirt if lucky, so may do most of my work experince naked. Quick, WHERE'S GOK!!!!!!!!!!
Dear J6767
You made me laugh! Hope things go well for your work experience. Are they going to pay for childcare when you are doing work experience or are they designing it to fit in around your daughters school hours?
Laura
Hi J6767. I asked about the clothing allowance. She did tell me that if at all possible to try and buy myself something for interviews etc. I laughed and said did she realise I had a son, so of course he grows, and I don't get anything. Apparantely I have to produce proof of an interview, but she couldn't tell me the amount, so thankyou for that. At least now I know.
Heck, don't they realise that people who have been on Income Support/JSA do not have the money for these things?
I had to laugh at you saying GOK, J6767!!! but really they are so out of touch
Ji J6767
I'm confused, are you on the Work Programme? My provider dooes not put people in work experience. Ingeus that is.
Hi everyone
The work experience isn't thru WP provider, is another agency that I work with, Remploy. It's only 10-2 (phew) so no childcare probs, no pay either - do get travel - but I'm willing to try anything that might help. It's been nearly 3 years since this post professional lady worked and I'm so bored I'm climbing the ceiling.
However I have found online that some are prepared to pay for naked cleaners, so will be putting £25 towards a large feather duster (BIG LOL!) x
Don't forget your hat, wouldn't want you getting cold lol
...and after the job you could make a feather boa and be in next year's Strictly!
I believe that naked cleaners earn a decent living too!
Where's the website???
Hi everyone, hope you're all well.
Having a bit of an annoying mystery, wonder if any one has any ideas? I keep getting direct.gov jobs through the post. There's no note with them and the postmark's from Gatwick (not where my JC or WP provider are from).
The jobs enclosed are all totally unsuitable, temporary, out of my area, weekend/evening work etc.
I know at the JC, if they print you a job, you have to apply for it, but as I don't know where these are coming from and they're not jobs I can do, I haven't. Needless to say the spector of sanctions worries me.
Any ideas? Thanks x
That sounds really weird and I think you should ask at the JC the next time you go, it could be that they have a "marker" on your account that says send things in the post, and they can just unmark it. Keep the printouts and show the adviser.
Had anyone else had this?
Hi. Just a thought, but it's not anything you've done on the computer is it? Hope you're keeping well.
Dear all,
If you are interested in the boring legal bits or getting the Jobcentre to look you can see at Regulation 13 of the Jobseekers Allowance Regulations 1996. For interpretation of the Regulations see Hansard record Thursday 30th October 2008 (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous amendments Regulations 2008 particularly comments by Kitty Usher) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmgeneral/deleg6/08103...
There are also explanatory Regulations 2010 paragraph 7.3 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/em/uksiem 20100837 en.pdf
It might be good to quote chapter and verse to keep the adviser on his or her toes!
Laura